Last weekend NESCSO, the Millbank Fund and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human
Services convened a group of twenty-two state executive and legislative
branch health policymakers in Portsmouth, NH to consider the future of
hospitals in the region. All six New England states were represented. Hospital
roles are evolving quickly with national and state health reforms,
implementation of the Affordable Care Act, community health needs assessments,
and value-based purchasing. The group discussed hospital and payer
consolidation, payment reforms, quality improvement, and the states’ role in
protecting capacity while controlling costs. The group also emphasized the need
for simple communication tools to help legislators and the public understand
complex shifts in the region’s health care system. Congratulations to CT’s
Medicaid Director, Kate McEvoy, who now chairs the NESCSO Board of Directors.
